Welcome to the Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Biosecurity Report, your one-stop update on the latest operational issues and notices issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This report is designed to keep you informed and prepared to manage biosecurity compliance effectively in an ever-changing landscape.
This Week in Biosecurity This week's update is more export-focused, highlighting continued developments across market access, assurance frameworks and digital service delivery. Key items include progress on the Australia–EU Wine Agreement aimed at reducing regulatory burden, ongoing normalisation of trade following Australia's HPAI recovery, and reinforced EU verification requirements through remote audit processes. The Department has also signalled emerging risk trends, including increased detections of illegally imported hatching eggs, alongside consultation on assurance schemes such as AGSA and the rollout of digital platforms for export licensing. We hope you enjoy this week's report.
Summary Australia–EU Wine Agreement – Improved Market Access and Reduced Regulatory Burden The Australian Government has announced the conclusion of negotiations on a new Australia–EU Wine Agreement, aimed at reducing regulatory barriers and improving market access for Australian wine exporters into the European Union. The proposed agreement introduces several practical reforms to streamline export processes, including reduced testing requirements, the adoption of electronic documentation, and provisions allowing producers to self-authorise certifications. These measures are expected to lower compliance costs and simplify administrative processes for exporters operating in the EU market. The agreement also addresses geographical indications (GIs), including the ongoing use of the term 'Prosecco'. Under the proposed arrangements, Australian producers will be permitted to continue using the term for domestic sales, while exports using the name will be phased out over a 10-year transition period. Australia has agreed to protect 50 additional EU GIs, while the EU will recognise 7 new Australian GIs established since the previous agreement. Importantly, the agreement preserves the use of grape variety names, even where those names may be recognised as EU GIs in the future. The EU remains a key export destination for Australian wine, with exports valued at $159.3 million in 2025, contributing to a total global export value of $2.4 billion. The agreement is subject to Australia's domestic treaty-making processes and will enter into force alongside the broader Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement. Read more HERE. - Avian Influenza (HPAI) Update: Egg and Egg Products
The Department has issued an update confirming the ongoing normalisation of trade conditions following Australia's self-declaration of freedom from high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), effective 13 June 2025. While this declaration supports improved market access, exporters are advised that some trading partners may continue to maintain restrictions, and certification availability remains subject to change based on importing country requirements. Exporters of eggs and egg products should work closely with importers to confirm current market conditions and eligibility prior to shipment. The department has indicated that even where health certificates are available and issued, there remains a risk of consignments being rejected at the port of entry due to varying international responses to HPAI. Additional compliance requirements may apply for certain markets, including sourcing provisions that require evidence of freedom from HPAI over defined periods at premises, regional, or national levels. Exporters must ensure appropriate declarations are submitted with certification applications and maintain supporting records to demonstrate compliance. The Department continues to engage with international counterparts to remove remaining trade restrictions and will update certification conditions as markets reopen. Exporters are encouraged to monitor ongoing updates via MICoR and maintain close communication with the department where consignments are impacted or require clarification. Read more HERE. · EU Seafood and Dairy – Updated Load-Out Inspection Requirements DAFF has issued aligned updates to load-out inspection requirements for both seafood (IAN 2026-04) and dairy (IAN 2026-06) exports to the European Union, effective immediately. Across both commodities, the Department will continue to rely on remote documentation audits in place of physical inspections to verify export eligibility, with a minimum of 5% of consignments subject to random audit, both pre- and post-departure. Applicable fees remain consistent with previous arrangements.
Exporters must continue to submit all standard EU eligibility documentation at the time of export permit application, including manufacturer declarations confirming EU compliance, NATA-accredited microbiological certification (where required), and completed EU eligibility checklists. Where a consignment is selected for audit, the Department will request supporting load-out evidence such as packing documentation, container suitability checklists, and photographic records of the empty, packed, and sealed container. These records must be retained and readily accessible.
The notices emphasise that these requirements are not new, but reinforces existing EU verification expectations. Export approval remains contingent on demonstrated compliance, with risks of suspension or delisting where Approved Arrangements do not adequately reflect EU requirements or where sufficient supporting records are not maintained. - Illegally Concealed Hatching Eggs – Detection Spike and Concealment Trends
The Department has reported a notable increase in detections of illegally imported hatching eggs, with 22 interceptions recorded over the past five years and a recent spike across multiple pathways. Detections have involved a range of origin countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Pakistan, Lebanon and China, highlighting the global nature of this risk.
Recent cases demonstrate increasingly deliberate concealment methods, with eggs found hidden in passenger luggage, on-person, inside socks, and in one instance dyed to resemble Easter decorations. These tactics reflect ongoing attempts to circumvent Australia's biosecurity controls and introduce high-risk goods undetected.
Hatching eggs are classified as a significant biosecurity risk due to their potential to carry serious diseases not present in Australia, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The introduction of such diseases could have severe impacts on animal health, domestic poultry industries, trade, and food supply chains.
The Department has reinforced that strong enforcement action continues under existing legislation, with past cases resulting in criminal convictions, including imprisonment. Detection capabilities are also continuing to evolve, supported by advanced screening technologies such as X-ray systems. Read more HERE.
This update serves as a reminder that biosecurity risks are not always obvious and may present in unexpected forms. Industry and the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity via Redline. FTA has developed a Customs Broker Toolbox on how to lodge DAFF Redline - access the toolbox HERE. - AGSA Scheme Review Now Open for Consultation
DAFF has commenced public consultation on the review of the Accredited Grain Surveyor Assurance (AGSA) Scheme, with a Have Your Say survey now open until 24 April 2026.
The review, being undertaken in collaboration with the Australasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS), is seeking feedback from accredited marine surveyors and industry participants on how the scheme is currently operating. Key focus areas include the standard applied to empty bulk vessel surveys and the management of conflicts of interest within the scheme.
The AGSA Scheme sets the accreditation requirements for marine surveyors conducting bulk vessel inspections prior to the export of prescribed plant and plant products under the Export Control Act 2020. As such, the outcomes of this review may influence future assurance settings and operational expectations across the plant export pathway.
Industry participants involved in bulk vessel exports are encouraged to contribute to the consultation process to help shape the future direction of the scheme. Read more HERE. - Online Livestock Export Licence Applications
The Department has advised that livestock export licence applications will soon be available through the Export Service, providing an online option to apply for, renew, vary or cancel licences.
The new functionality will be accessible to registered users via the Export Service platform, supporting a more streamlined and centralised approach to managing export licensing requirements. Automated renewal reminders will continue to be issued, commencing 180 days prior to licence expiry and continuing at regular intervals until renewal is completed.
While the digital service is being introduced to improve efficiency and user experience, use of the Export Service will not be mandatory, with PDF application forms remaining available upon request. Read more HERE. |